Success Story: Brownies Get “Concrete” Results

These Brownies on the go spotted a strip of missing sidewalk in their community that prevented people from riding their bikes, pushing strollers, or using wheelchairs. As one Brownie tells it: “We decided that we were going to put some concrete there because we didn’t want anyone going in the streets, because that’s not safe.” Inspired by their Brownie Quest Journey, these civic-minded Girl Scouts wrote a letter and lobbied city hall for change to promote their community as a healthy place to live. The outcome? Today, there’s a new strip of sidewalk where grass once was, and everyone can get around without having to risk danger in the street. The Brownies of Troop 1419 were even special guests on-site on the big day when the cement for the new sidewalk was poured. “Leadership can be defined in a lot of ways,” Colleyville, Texas, City Manager Jennifer Fadden says, “but one thing that they displayed here is initiative.” The life-changing impact of the Leadership Journeys is evident as another Brownie adds, “I learned that Girl Scouts can go much farther than some people think.”

Girl Voices

Can you imagine what the world will be like in 100 years? When Troop 138 of Henderson, Nevada, put on their thinking caps, they decided, “The future is so bright, it makes us want to dance!” These Girl Scout Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors believe that girls can accomplish anything. In their world of tomorrow, girls will be astronauts, dolphin trainers, hockey players, surgeons, scientists, CEOs—even President of the United States! From outer space to the ocean, the operating room to the Oval Office, these girls know that they have the power to take on any role they choose. If a Girl Scout can dream it, she can be it! Watch their winning PSA video and see how much fun they had starring in their own production, filmed by a professional crew. Now that you’re inspired, start brainstorming ideas and make your own PSA for Girl Scouts Speak Out! The future is yours, so get ready to change the world!

When girls speak out, success follows! Meet Hareem and Amanda, who entered—and won!—our “Dear Mr. President…” Girl Scouts Speak Out! PSA contest. The girls recently met in Washington, D.C., to spend a great day shooting their video. In it, they share their dreams for the future and talk about how girls can become leaders today. “Changing the world isn’t just a man’s job,” Amanda says. “It’s anybody’s job.” And these Girl Scouts are living proof that you can be heard and declare yourself an advocate for everything you value. Watch the video to meet our winners, hear about what Hareem believes is the “moral challenge of the century,” and start thinking about all the ways you can shape your own success story. And don’t forget to check out the other fantastic finalists in the contest here.

Outdoors

Brownie Elf goes hiking with her friends and sings the Brownie Hiker Song!

Storytellers

Animals collaborate with natural elements—like fire and earth—to tell Native American tales. Watch as Geri Keams shares the storytelling from her culture. She also talks about how important it is for all young girls to tell their own stories, too.

Success Stories

How do Jersey Girl Scouts Get Moving? They get energy from the It’s Your Planet—Love It! Journey! Here, they bring energy to their everyday lives with a kickoff event featuring Zumba, healthy snacks, cool science experiments—and sisterhood galore! “To save energy, it takes more than one person to do it,” says one Girl Scout who participated. “One reaction makes a whole chain reaction, and then it will spread and spread and spread, and turn into something big that can change the world.” These girls are so full of energy, it’s hard to believe that they were actually learning how to conserve energy! Watch the video and start thinking about how you’ll use your energy to make the world a better place!

In Villanova, Pennsylvania, the Juniors of Troop 7239 hold their meetings in a historic building known as the Clothier Mansion. Today, thanks to these environmentally conscious girls, this stately Victorian home is very "2013"—because it's going green! Powered up by their Get Moving! Leadership Journey, these Girl Scouts decided to help their meeting place save energy. So they did an audit of the building, studied the utility bills, and even experimented with insulation and conserving electricity. They designed posters and put them up to inspire people to save water, and to really get thinking about what it means to be energy smart. Along the way, these girls decided that an important part of being a good leader is being aware. But the most important aha moment comes from one of the Juniors, who declares: "I decided to be a leader and make my own decisions." Today, from riding their bikes to turning off lights—and even petitioning to change their uniforms—these girls are empowered to lead themselves, and make the world a better place. Katera, their troop leader, sees the difference. "I've seen a vast change in all of the girls," she says, "in terms of their voice and their willingness to take action." Watch the video to see these Juniors Get Moving! Hear why Katera says, "We can do Girl Scouts with this kind of ready-made curriculum." And meet a Junior who says of doing the Journeys: "You're helping the world. You're saving yourself and other people."

Girl Scouts dancing in Rosie-the-Riveter-style kerchiefs? It’s something you might see in Henderson, Nevada! Using the tip sheet and guidelines featured on Girl Scouts Speak Out!, Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors of Troop 138 made a public-service announcement that envisions what they believe the next 100 years can be like for all girls. Their theme? “The Future Is So Bright, It Makes Us Want to Dance!” These Girl Scouts say that there isn’t anything that girls can’t do and be in the coming century: “a jockey, editor-in-chief, director, rock star, CEO, Nobel Prize winner, President of the United States.” Together, they came up with this girl-led video, scripted it, filmed it, and danced out their message to the world! Two days later it was posted online and started getting hits. Their really big moment came when troop leader Tonya Buchan got a call from the GS central office in New York saying that they’d won. The prize? A professional film crew shot their PSA! Volunteer Adonna Miller sees the enduring value of the experience. “I think it’s important that everything in Girl Scouts is girl led,” she says, “because it gives them empowerment at an early age. Girl Scouts Speak Out! was a great activity for my Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors, because it allowed them the ability to show what they could do on their level.” Watch the video to see these girls on set, and think about the difference you can make with your message.

These Brownies on the go spotted a strip of missing sidewalk in their community that prevented people from riding their bikes, pushing strollers, or using wheelchairs. As one Brownie tells it: “We decided that we were going to put some concrete there because we didn’t want anyone going in the streets, because that’s not safe.” Inspired by their Brownie Quest Journey, these civic-minded Girl Scouts wrote a letter and lobbied city hall for change to promote their community as a healthy place to live. The outcome? Today, there’s a new strip of sidewalk where grass once was, and everyone can get around without having to risk danger in the street. The Brownies of Troop 1419 were even special guests on-site on the big day when the cement for the new sidewalk was poured. “Leadership can be defined in a lot of ways,” Colleyville, Texas, City Manager Jennifer Fadden says, “but one thing that they displayed here is initiative.” The life-changing impact of the Leadership Journeys is evident as another Brownie adds, “I learned that Girl Scouts can go much farther than some people think.”

Who can get a whole school to stop using throwaway plastic water bottles and start drinking from reusable bottles? Brownies can! Inspired by the WOW! Wonders of Water Journey, some second-graders from West Chester, Pennsylvania, started the first green, eco-friendly movement in their school. After learning an interesting fact—a throwaway bottle takes three times as much water as it can hold just to make the plastic—they spread the message of saving water. They also created a Take Action project that had a ripple effect out to the whole district! Watch the video to see how they did it, and hear why their volunteer supporters say the Journey books really helped the process. "It's such an accomplishment for a group of second-grade girls to start with something so small, but yet so important," teacher Amanda Galajda says. As Girl Scout Brownie Lauren tells it: "We can make a big change all together, and change the whole Earth."

As a volunteer, you might wonder: How do I get comfortable with the Journeys? The answer: You start doing them, and discover that you’re providing real leadership opportunities for girls! In this video, you’ll meet Purvis, Mississippi, Brownies having a blast—with benefits!—doing their A World of Girls Journey. As young leaders, they identified a need in their community, and worked together to purchase and dedicate a handicapped-accessible swing in a local park. Now that’s what we call a Take Action project! Funded by their cookie sales and community support from no less than the mayor, these girls and volunteers came up with a plan and made it happen. As one Brownie tells us, “We wanted to help change our town and make it better.” The mayor’s review? “It’s outstanding for them to step up and be young leaders of the community.” This project was completely girl led, with direction from supportive volunteers “who allowed the girls to have a voice.” That’s what the Journeys are all about. They’re the perfect way for you to help your Girl Scouts build courage, confidence, character, and independence—and make the world a better place!

Join these Indianapolis Brownies and Juniors as they discover the best part of Girl Scouts—sisterhood! They’re learning that they’re leaders, and that volunteers are there to support them every step of the way. Here, they have fun earning their My Promise, My Faith pins and using their Spanish-language Family Starter books. As one bright Junior says, “It doesn’t matter if we’re little girls. We can still do anything. We can still climb a mountain. We’re unstoppable—that’s how we are.”

When girls speak out, success follows! Meet Hareem and Amanda, who entered—and won!—our “Dear Mr. President…” Girl Scouts Speak Out! PSA contest. The girls recently met in Washington, D.C., to spend a great day shooting their video. In it, they share their dreams for the future and talk about how girls can become leaders today. “Changing the world isn’t just a man’s job,” Amanda says. “It’s anybody’s job.” And these Girl Scouts are living proof that you can be heard and declare yourself an advocate for everything you value. Watch the video to meet our winners, hear about what Hareem believes is the “moral challenge of the century,” and start thinking about all the ways you can shape your own success story. And don’t forget to check out the other fantastic finalists in the contest here.

Volunteer Guides

When you use 3 Processes, you’ll find that volunteering with Girl Scouts is easier—and more fun! Girls get the most out of a project when it’s Girl Led (girls shape their experiences by asking questions, offering ideas, and using their imaginations). When girls work together to choose an idea and develop a team plan, they engage in Cooperative Learning. Most important, when you help girls think about what they’ve experienced so they can apply what they’ve learned to other areas of their lives, they’re Learning by Doing. When you see how well girls can lead, you can relax and enjoy the process. Remember: It’s the journey, not the destination, that benefits girls the most.

Adults help Girl Scouts sell cookies—when they don't help too much! When Girl Scouts sell cookies on their own, they learn valuable people skills, gain from teamwork, practice good business ethics, and teach themselves how to set goals and manage money. Learn what to do, and what not to do, to help girls "learn while earning." Then they can get the most from the Girl Scout Cookie Program—and truly succeed in life!

Brownie Elf & friends want a pony, but they need to triple their cookie goal! Watch the video to see how they manage their money, and learn how to start earning your Money Manager Badge today!

Starting with a topic that you feel passionate about, you can change the world one PSA at a time. Watch this quick video to get the best tips and guidelines on how to begin!